Why 2 Wheels are Better Than 4

5 Reasons 2 Wheels are Better Than 4

Ask anyone who cycles and they’ll tell you it’s more than just a sport or a form of exercise. For true cycling enthusiasts, riding is a way of life. And biking doesn’t just have to be for fun – it’s also an excellent alternative to get you where you need to go while traveling. All over the world people are skipping the rental cars and hopping on bikes instead. But maybe you’re not convinced yet how exhilarating and life changing cycling can be, and how much better it is than driving. Here are 5 reasons why 2 wheels are better than 4:

Environmentally friendly

In this day and age, it’s important that everyone do their part to reduce the carbon footprint they are leaving on the earth. Our environment is suffering from all the pollution and fuel consumption. Cycling is the most energy efficient mode of transportation. No fuel means no noise and no pollution. If you want to make a difference in the world around you, biking is a simple way to do so.

Stay fit and healthy

Cycling is one of the best ways to stay in shape because it works so many muscles in your body. It’s especially beneficial while traveling because it lets you taste all the delicious (but fattening) cuisine without worrying about gaining weight. Biking is also much easier on your joints than other forms of exercise, like walking or jogging. Plus, it’s been proven to release stress making it good for both spirit and mind.

Easier to see the sites

Ever try to stop and see the sites while riding in a car or a taxi? There’s the hassle of finding a place to park, avoiding other traffic and just stopping and going in general. When you’re on a bike, you have the freedom to stop anywhere you’d like, for as long as you want. You can also explore areas you couldn’t in a vehicle since with bikes you don’t necessarily need a road, just a path and some ambition. You don’t have to worry about parking and you’ll never find yourself stuck in a miserable traffic jam.

Cheaper

Renting a vehicle can be pretty expensive, as can the cost to maintain it during use. From insurance to fuel to parking fees, when all is said and done a car rental can really eat into your travel budget. Cycling is an excellent alternative because it’s inexpensive and doesn’t cost anything to maintain. You don’t need to worry about the cost of fueling up. You are the fuel!

Fun

What’s more fun than hitting the trails, getting your blood and adrenaline pumping and feeling the wind in your face? Cycling is gratifying and something that can be done just about anywhere your travel takes you. It’s also a great activity to do as a family or with a group of friends. And, as any cyclist knows, meeting another biker on the road creates an atmosphere of instant camaraderie. Biking allows you to experience spontaneity and adventure that you could never achieve in the confines of a vehicle.

Those who are already passionate about cycling know all the benefits that riding provides. But someone who hasn’t yet felt the joy and excitement of biking may need a little more convincing. These are just five of the countless reasons that biking is better than driving on a vacation, but perhaps the most important one is this: to truly experience a travel destination, you have to get out there and enjoy it. Cycling allows you to do this in a way that a vehicle simply can’t. So what are you waiting for? Hop on and enjoy!

Guided Tours in Czech Republic

Pure Adventures is most widely known for its self-guided tours, but did you know we also offer guided tours, specifically in Czech Republic. Many 2011 tours have already been confirmed and still have spaces available. A few worth a mention include:

Walking Vienna to Prague Greenways:

Dates:

· June 12 – 19

· August 13 – 20

· September 17 - 24

Highlights:

· This tour starts in Breclav and finishes in Cesky Krumlov.

· While walking from town to town in Czech you will enjoy its rich culture and history, as well as its relaxing spas and beautiful countryside.

· The June tour ends in Cesky Krumlov for the famous Five-Petal Rose Festival. During this Renaissance festival the town returns to the age of knights, noble ladies, jesters, and beggars. Trust me; no one wants to miss this unique festival.

Cycling Vienna to Prague Greenways:

Dates:

· July 2 – 9

· August 20 – 27

Highlights:

· These tours follow the same itinerary as our self-guided Cycling Vienna to Prague tour.

· The Greenways stretches 250 miles from Vienna to Prague along the Dyje River in Southern Moravia and the Vltava River Valley in Southern and Central Bohemia, perfect for cycling along.

· Starting in Breclav and finishing in Cesky Krumlov, you will enjoy castles, wines, historical sites, charming town, and a unique culture making this trip truly unique!

With its picturesque castles, deep routed culture, scenic parks and medieval villages the Czech Republic has a lot more to offer any traveler. Here are a few of the many reasons to bike through the Czech Republic.

If you are interested in a guided tour but want to journey to a different country our tours bike through, like France, I suggest getting a group of 6 or more together and create your own tour. Our custom guided tours are growing in popularity; try one and you’ll know why.

Traveling with Friends

Tips for Traveling with Friends

Traveling can be many things – fun, exhilarating, relaxing, even life changing. Sharing the experience with good friends can make it that much greater. However, people often don’t consider that certain factors, like spending a long period of time together can change the dynamics of a friendship. Additionally, different people prefer different activities, so disagreements may arise during a trip creating a potentially uncomfortable situation. Before choosing your travel buddies and booking your trip, consider the following helpful tips.

Choose 2-4 friends

It may seem like a great idea to get a big group together for a vacation, after all, the more the merrier, right? But keep in mind that the more people you travel with, the more differing opinions and emotions you will have to deal with. Keeping the list down to a more manageable 2-4 people is a better idea. It’s also important that the people you choose to travel with share the same interests as you, and that you are comfortable being around them for however long your trip is scheduled for. Once you’ve carefully chosen your travel buddies, discuss your itinerary together prior to travel so everyone is on the same page and there is less chance of disagreements.

Figure out finances ahead of time

Discussing money with friends can be a somewhat touchy subject, but avoiding it can lead to misunderstandings and frustration. Before you leave for your trip, sit down with your fellow travelers and discuss such topics as whether you will be splitting the cost of things, like meals, or if each person will pay separately. Consider agreeing ahead of time which types of restaurants and activities you are all comfortable with from a price standpoint. The more details you hammer out before you hop on the plane, the less likely there will be any uncomfortable money incidents.

Be flexible and communicate

Let’s be honest – most trips don’t go exactly how we plan or envision them. At some point, things are bound to not go as expected, leading to a possible stressful situation. It’s important that you and your travel crew remain as flexible as possible and be able to roll with the punches if something goes differently than planned. Keep communications open and most of all try to keep your sense of humor. You never know – something that goes wrong may turn out to be better than you expected.

Pick one “must do” and two optional activities

Chances are something that one person wants to do or see during your trip may not be the top of the list for everyone else, but each person in your group should be able to enjoy themselves. Traveling with friends must involve some level of compromise if it’s to go smoothly. When planning your itinerary, let each person choose one activity that they really want to do, and two others that are optional, then plan your trip around these activities. That way everyone will feel that they had a say and you’ll avoid anyone feeling left out and disappointed.

Matching fitness levels

Another thing to consider, particularly when planning active vacations such as cycling excursions, is the physical ability of each traveler in your party. If you’re going to be undertaking biking itineraries together, you’ll want to be sure that everyone is at the same fitness level. For instance, if you want to take on some challenging climbs or long distance rides, make sure that the others can handle them as well, otherwise you may end up feeling held back and they may end up feeling frustrated.

Sharing an exciting travel experience with good friends can be a great way to bond and make lifelong memories together. But traveling with others can have its downside, like when disagreements over itineraries and money aren’t properly addressed. By preparing ahead of time and making sure that everyone is on the same page, you’ll ensure that your trip is enjoyable and stress-free for everyone.

Airfare Tips to Help You Find the Deals

Planning to wait until the last minute to make your summer travel plans, think again. Airfares are increasing by 10% to 15% compared to last year in response to the escalating fuel costs. We want you to get the best deal possible which is why we, along with airline analysts, recommend booking no fewer than 60 days ahead. These changes are affecting the airline rules we have grown familiar with in previous years. Money Magazine’s April 2011 edition breaks it down in their “How to Find Hidden Airfare Deals.” Here’s a quick summary to help you in your planning.

Old Rule: Shop one of the major online travel agencies, like Expedia or Orbitz.

New Rule: Start with meta-search engines, like Kayak.com, Fly.com, and TravelAdvisor.com, which aggregate fares from a number of sources and direct you to sites where you can buy them. Many airlines have withdrawn from online travel agencies (OTAs) for various reasons. Don’t forget to also check the airlines that aren’t listed on meta-engines or OTAs, such as Southwest.

Old Rule: If you spy a good fare, jump on it immediately.

New Rule: Be picky about when you buy, using tools that help you find the best time. Bing.com/travel has a price predictor function that determines whether prices are likely to go up, down of remain the same. The predictions aren’t perfect, but if you’re willing to take the risk you may save a few bucks.

Old Rule: Be loyal to one airline so that you can rack up frequent-flier points.

New Rule: If the price isn’t low enough for you at the 60-day mark, try an “opaque fare” where you don’t know the airline, the departure time, or the number of stops until you buy. You know these sites as Priceline.com and Hotwire.com.

Yes, many of these new rules are a gamble, but if your dates are flexible and you are on a strict budget they are worth a look. One other tip to save money while flying is packing light. Remove half the clothes in your suitcase, odds are you won’t wear it, and maybe you can save the over $20 fee for checked bags and carry on. Another option is to share a bag with your travel companion, but make sure you don’t exceed the 50 lb weight limit. Good luck and safe travels!!